Right-wing influencers hyped anti-Ukraine videos made by a TV producer also funded by Russian media
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kremlin could not have asked for better publicity at a better time when Ben Swann, a self-described independent journalist who promotes conspiracy theories, released a 12-part video series he promised would reveal dark truths about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Swann’s flashy documentary-style videos were filled with innuendo, attacks on Zelenskyy’s character and commentary from guests sympathetic to Russia in its two-year war with Ukraine.
The series, titled “Zelenskyy Unmasked,” launched in April as Congress was debating increasing military assistance to Ukraine, and it quickly caught the attention of conservative social media influencers who hyped the project to their millions of followers.
Among those who promoted the series was Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son.
“Curious about the billions of dollars and weapons Congress sent Ukraine?” Trump Jr. posted on X, Truth Social and Threads. “You need to watch the first episode of the explosive 12-part series.”
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Unlike other conservative media personalities who last month expressed shock upon learning they may have been secretly financed by the Kremlin, Swann has no such qualms. He’s worked for Russia’s state-owned media empire for years, with one of his companies earning millions of dollars for producing Kremlin-friendly shows.
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An online documentary series criticizing Ukraine's leader went viral among conservative influencers. The U.S.-based former TV anchor who made it has been on the payroll of Russian state media. https://t.co/vNBZjf0Wb4
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 18, 2024
Fascist Russia has been weaponizing Western media against the democratic world for years. It's time we woke up to this and fought back. https://t.co/bt6O0QHbfl
— Euan MacDonald (@Euan_MacDonald) October 19, 2024
The Russia fanatics in the MAGA GOP need to remember that if Trump loses, Putin dies and it all goes public. https://t.co/ug1wfFlthP
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) October 19, 2024
An unspoken element of the entire mess.
Also, President Harris probably isn't going to pick an Attorney General who feels prosecuting crimes – especially treasonous ones – is inherently partisan, regardless of the scale of the evidence.
— Ralph Cerchione (@Dry_Observer) October 19, 2024
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